The document summarizes a presentation about home energy efficiency programs in Minnesota. It discusses challenges with traditional residential energy efficiency programs and describes the Center for Energy and Environment's solution of developing a whole-home retrofit program using a "one-stop" approach. Key features included a comprehensive set of measures, behavioral science techniques, and partnering with contractors. The program achieved over 5 million kWh of savings annually in Minneapolis from 2009-2013. Lessons learned included the effectiveness of community-based marketing, benefits of bundling measures, importance of quality control and training, and motivating homeowners to complete upgrades.

1. Home Energy Efficiency – Moving from Audit to Action
Energy Efficiency Success Stories
Stacy Boots Camp
Center for Energy and Environment
CERTs Conference
St. Cloud, MN
February 21, 2013

2. Presentation Overview
Challenges of designing residential EE programs
CEE’s solution to addressing these challenges
Results of programs
Looking forward

3. Center for Energy and Environment
Over 30 years of energy efficiency innovating
40,000 homes served in energy-efficiency programs since 1980s
Financed 18,000 home improvement loans resulting in $130 million worth of
home improvements
Completed over 100 energy efficiency research projects
Recommissioning program for larger buildings
Served over 9,000 small businesses for a small business lighting efficiency
program (an ACEEE “Exemplary Program”)

4. Carbon Emissions in Minnesota
Carbon Emissions in Minnesota
Residential
Residential
23%
23%
Industrial
Industrial
30%
30%
Transportation
Transportation
28% Commerical
Commerical
28%
19%
19%

5. Context
Residential EE programs struggle to
meet 1.5% savings goal
Audits do not save energy, actions do

6. The Goal
Develop a high energy savings &
cost-effective whole-house retrofit
program
Low-cost measures Savings Occupant behavior
Major retrofits

7. Program Models
“Traditional”
Whole-House “Neighborhood
Retrofit Sweep” Direct
programs Install
Feedback/
behavior
change
program
targeting
occupant
behavior

8. Key Features
“One-stop” approach to make easy for participants
Comprehensive approach to energy savings
Use behavioral science research to
enhance program results
Partner with contractors for training, quality control &
increased participation

9. Program Process
Path to Major
Upgrades Follow up
Community Neighborhood Home Visit after home
Engagement Workshop & Materials visit
(Envelope &
HVAC)

10. Behavior Benefits of Workshops
Peer Pressure
Public
Commitment
Social Norms
 Increased motivation to take EE actions

11. The Recipe for an Energy Smart Home
Good Habits Good Products Good Investments
Page 11

12. Home
Energy
Visits and
Energy
Audits

13. Feedback on Energy Usage
Comparison with peers
Helps drive behavioral
actions
Increased engagement =
Increased likelihood of
making major
investments

14. Page 14

15. Contractor Participation
Page 15

16. Quality Insulation Program
+ Client: MN Energy Resources
+ Improve energy savings, reduce
problems, and increase customer
satisfaction from insulation contractors
+ CEE does training, checks 10% of
completed jobs
+ Developed “phone QA process” to
address MER disbursed territory
Page 16

17. Energy Efficient Cities
Develop new models for residential energy-
efficiency program delivery
Whole-house approach
2-year pilot effort
8 cities

18. Participating Cities
Park Rapids
Duluth
Minneapolis
St. Paul
Apple Valley
Owatonna
Rochester
Austin

19. Program Sponsors
Austin Public Utilities
CenterPoint Energy
Comfort Systems
City of Duluth (stimulus funding)
City of Minneapolis (stimulus funding)
Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund
Minnesota Power
Minnesota Energy Resources
Owatonna Public Utilities
Rochester Public Utilities
Xcel Energy

20. Page 20

21. Project Partners: Project Results
t
(residential):
Dakota Electric
CenterPoint Energy
City of Apple Valley • > 95% of workshop
Center for Energy & Environment attendees signed up for
Great Plains Institute
Many other community partners
Home Visit
• 3% of homes
• Over 5 million kWh
savings

22. Minneapolis
2009 - 2013
6,025 Homes
$513,000 savings/yr
3,573 kW savings/yr
2,140,092 kWh savings/yr
Page 22

23. Greater MN Programs
+ Client: MN Energy Resources
and municipal utilities
+ Current cities: Rochester and
Kasson
+ Provide marketing support, run
workshops, and provide follow-
up assistance to participants
+ About 500 participants last
year
+ 2013 recipient of ACEEE
national “Exemplary Programs”
award
Page 23

24. Home Energy Squad Enhanced Program
+ Clients: CenterPoint, Xcel, various cities
+ Former “Community Energy Services”
program is now “Home Energy Squad
Enhanced” program (CEE delivers
program in west metro)
+ Goal is 2,500 homes for 2013-2015
+ CEE doing marketing for “HES Enhanced”
program through 3 channels:
+ City-based programs (Mpls, St. Louis Park,
Bloomington, Richfield, New Hope)
+ “In-Business” programs – do “lunch and learn”
format, sign employees up for program
+ “Congregation” program – do workshop at
Page 24 church/congregation and sign up for program

25. FOUR LESSONS LEARNED
1. Community-based marketing when combined
with traditional marketing strategies can be
effective at getting participation
2. Combining low-cost measures with insulation
measures can increase savings beyond that
achieved by separate strategies
3. Quality control and contractor training is
important to achieving savings and homeowner
confidence
4. Motivating homeowners to complete upgrades is
critical

26. Questions?
Stacy Boots Camp
612-244-2429
sbootscamp@mncee.org